...so we know that watering isn't the issue...

Watering is the issue. Your landscaper is wrong. You should never have soggy soil - ever. 3x per day is right but it only needs to be enough to slightly moisten the underlying soil. Roots will not grow into dry soil, but they don't like soggy soil, either.

If this is a fescue lawn, it's toast. If you want to push this with the landscaper, get his instructions in writing, so you know what he said. Then when it all dies from disease, get him to replace it. Or if you have other reasons to believe he is disreputable, then take this over yourself and stop watering for a few days to let it dry out. The roots have probably knit into the soil underneath, so you
should be backing off anyway.

Thank you for your response! We are trying to find out what kind of lawn it is but not getting answers. They did seem reputable/established but based on lack of response we are not happy. My husband wants to pull out the brown stuff this weekend and replace it himself with new sod. Any downside of doing this? (We are hosting a big family party next weekend and were trying to have a number of house projects done by that time).

This is the turf blend we have, just found out: http://turpinfarms.squarespace.com/double-eagle/

One more thing - in the areas that are brown they are very easily pulled up - ie the roots have not taken hold. Does that change anything?